WORCESTER, Mass. – Lafayette placekicker Jeffrey Kordenbrock booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired, to lift the Leopards to a 10-7 victory over the Holy Cross football team on Homecoming Weekend at Fitton Field. The Crusaders fall to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Patriot League, while Lafayette improves to 1-4 on the season and 1-0 in the conference.

Holy Cross drove the ball into Lafayette territory five times in the first half, but scored only once on an eight-yard touchdown run by sophomore tailback Miles Alexander. The Crusaders turned the ball over on downs twice, and also missed a 41-yard field goal.

The Holy Cross lead would stay at 7-0 until late in the third quarter, when the Leopards’ Sean O’Malley connected with Rocco Palumbo for a 32-yard touchdown on a fourth-down play to tie the score at 7-7. After Lafayette stopped the Crusaders on downs late in the game, Kordenbrock hit the game-winning field goal for the Leopards.

WEEKLY AWARDS:

Following the game, senior linebacker Nick McBeath was selected as the Man of the Match presented by the United States Marines.

McBeath totaled eight tackles and an interception on the afternoon.

Senior defensive tackle Jack Kutschke earned the SERVPRO of South Worcester In the Trenches Lineman of the Game award.

Kutschke made six tackles on the day, with three tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.

Kordenbrock received the Johnny Turco Award, which is presented annually by the Holy Cross Varsity Club, the Class of 1952 and the Holy Cross Club of Worcester to the Most Outstanding Player in the Homecoming Day Game.

It is given in memory of Johnny Turco (Class of 1952), a former halfback and a member of the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame. The award is selected by the members of the working press.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Holy Cross finished with 319 yards of total offense on the afternoon.

Lafayette recorded 220 total yards on the day, including -6 rushing yards.

The Crusader defense forced three turnovers with three interceptions, while the offense did not turn the ball over.

Senior punter Will McGrail averaged 46.4 yards on five kicks, with two of his punts being downed at the one-yard line.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

This marks the first time in over 15 years that the Crusaders held an opponent to negative rushing yards.

UP NEXT:

Holy Cross returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 7, when it plays host to Monmouth at 1:05 p.m.

BE A PART OF THE ACTION:

Tickets for the 2017 Holy Cross football season are available by calling 1-844-GOCROSS or by visiting GoHolyCross.com/tickets. Order your tickets today to make sure you don’t miss out on a minute of the action!